>>42457222
>“That I wouldn’t get any pie,” she began, “but that ain’t fair, sis! Cousin Red’s pea salad was all mushy this year.”
>You slyly shared a knowing glance with AJ; the little rascal spoke the truth, but that was besides the point.
>“That don’t mean you can just leave out the most important part o’ dinner. Ya didn’t like any o’ the other veggies that were on the table?”
>The filly in your arms shook her head resolutely.
>“Mm-mm. C’mon, sis, just let me do it this one time! I wanna have plenty o’ room if Anon’s pie is good. /Pleeeeeease/?”
>Eyes welling with crocodile tears, she stuck out her bottom lip at her sister in a pout that could spur Celestia to pardon even the most heinous of war crimes.
>But AJ had hardened to such a display over years of helping raise the filly, and as her lips pursed in defiance of her sister’s pleas, you knew there was only one thing you could justifiably do.
>Recalling past memories of begging your parents for ice cream in the dog days of summer, you whipped out your own weapons-grade mopeyness; not quite the nuclear option like Apple Bloom’s, but a force all its own.
>Aimed straight at your Applejack, even four long years together with you couldn’t possibly have prepared her for the combined might of Equestria’s pickiest eaters.
>Her resolve wavered, a delightful little smirk upon her lips as she closed her eyes and shook her head at the two of you.
>“…Alright, /fine/,” she capitulated. “But just this once, ya hear? And you’re eatin’ extra veggies for tomorrow’s supper.”
>“/Yay/!” Apple Bloom turned to you and cheered at the top of her lungs right into your ear. “Hey Anon, can I ride on your shoulders for a bit?”
>Ringing though your brain may have been, you couldn’t hide your smile.
“Long as you don’t blow my eardrums out again, munchkin.”
>“I won’t, I promise!”
>With your terms met, you held your right arm out as she grabbed hold and clambered up onto your shoulders with practiced haste. She hugged your head from behind, careful not to cover your eyes with her forehooves.
>You held onto her hind legs as you stood to your full height, Bloom giggling all the while.
“This is Captain Anonymous speaking,” you declared, adopting a pilot’s tone. “All systems are primed and ready for takeoff.”
>You turned to Applejack, who held back her own fit of laughter as you raised an eyebrow in her direction.
“Captain Anonymous to Ground Control - how’s the weather lookin’, sweet thing?”
>She gestured to the firelit field downhill with a gentle jerk of her neck.
>“Fair winds, sugarcube.”
>With a nod of your head, you thanked your lovely air traffic coordinator.
“Then we have /liftoff/!”
>You sprang into action, barreling down the hill at breakneck speed. Apple Bloom screeched in excitement as she spread her forehooves wide to catch as much fall air as she could.

https://ponepaste.org/10543
more soon!